What to do about coronaviris?

[JudyJB]

Thinking about this topic. The good thing for those of us living full time in our RVs is that we are self-contained and easy to be quarantined in our own homes on wheel. We had talked about being prepared for storms, so what about this "storm"? I don't think we need to panic quite yet, but it is nice to be prepared for anything.

First, I did buy a couple extra rolls of RV toilet paper, and I already had plenty of papers things, as I always do, but I also got several packets of dry Lipton's chicken noodle soup and a couple of bottles of drinks for dehydration. (Most of the sports drinks seemed to have artificial sweeteners, so I skipped those.) I have a lot of food and can people to deliver if I end up not being able to go out. I have some cash on hand, but probably need to add some to my emergency stash.

What are you doing to prepare?

[OregonLuvr]

Nothing really. I always have lots of paper products, food in the cupboards and freezer. I do have cash on hand. I am doing a lot more handwashing and I went to the grocery store yesterday and I always wipe my cart down even before this but I grabbed a couple extra wipes as if I didnt something would itch on my face LOL I wiped my hands a couple of times thru the store. Saved one for the car but I have sanitizer in it anyway. Got home put the groceries away and washed my hands really well. I certainly dont plan on flying anywhere.

Some friends of Lauras were on the cruise ship quarantined in Japan, then flown to Travis Air force base and quarantined there for 2 weeks, almost got released...nope another 2 weeks, finally last weekend they got to leave and shortly after it was quarantined again...whew they just made it. They got a rental car to come home. They both tested negative.

I dont see any reason to panic but I have extra precautions in place. I am not going to any confined areas with lots of people. You can be positive and not be sick but they will ask for self quarantining and I would certainly do that. And I better already be dying of something before I go to an ER....lol

[Acadianmom]

I wouldn't be going on a cruise if they were giving them away or take any air plane trips. I haven't flown very often and I almost alway get sick. You can leave it to me to get sick on a trip.

The first thing I do when I get home from town is wash my hands. Now I'm using the hand sanitizer when I leave a store.

I talked to my sister tonight and one of her son's has the flu. That bunch is always sick so try to stay away from them. I have a trip with her in 2 weeks so they better be well.

Martha

[Bethers]

I won't change much... My thoughts run similar to Karen's. I'll think more on it at the store this summer. We can't run and wash hands after each customer, so I'll probably have more sanitizer around there. If we see this really progressing quickly, I'll have to reassess. That said, I'm a good hermit.

[MandysMom]

Pretty much as usual here, though the recent northern Calofornia death was in my city, just a mile away. We have been washing carts handles for several years now. We both take a dose of Colloidal Silver before we go out to stores. Handwashing frequently. In case you haven't heard, hand sanitizer must be at least 60% alcohol and used liberally so hands are quite wet with it to be effective against flu and CoVid19. We have a freezer full of food and pantry too. So I just got my usual 2-3 weeks of meat. I will say I was surprised to see long lines at gas station on a Thursday at 1:30 pm.
I've heard of empty shelves in stores and though Walmart was low in a few things like Lysol and bleach, there was plenty of TP, paper towels and food of all types. Costco was a little lower in a few items but no empty shelves. I'm still not sure why so many are focused on TP, when CoVid is a Resoiratory virus.
Velda

[Acadianmom]

I was wondering why there would be shortage of TP and paper products too. I probably have enough in the pantry to last a month. Might not be something I want to eat but I wouldn't starve.

Martha

[OregonLuvr]

They say the Toilet Paper and products is in case they get self quarantined. I know I could have a neighbor buy things for me and just leave them on the porch. LOL I have a stash of everything I need, usually at all times

[Colliemom]

Karen, if the virus gets severe enough, your neighbor won’t be going out either I think one reason for the recommendation in TP, paper towels etc., is cause we use those on a daily basis and if shipments get disrupted, the store won’t have any when you need it. There’s no guarantee the stores will even be open. Having enough, food, water, paper products, first aid supplies etc.,on hand is being highly recommended. At least two weeks worth, 90 days at best. This is for worst case scenarios. I think a lot will depend on where you live, what actions your state takes in an outbreak etc. there are no guarantees out there. Also, those of you with pets, should make sure you have enough food for them also.

There’s a lot of media hype out there and hard to determine fact from fiction. I for one will get another big package of paper towels and TP. Stock some extra canned goods in cupboards and make sure I have enough dog food for the girls. Can’t do anything about hand sanitizer as none around, but did get some 91% alcohol tbe other day and can make my own. Nor can we do much about perishable items. Having some extra green around probably won’t hurt either. Can always put it back in the bank.

Here where I live, I don’t really expect a big issue due to small population density. The majority of people who work and shop here, come from about a 100 mile radius. Except for those who live directly in the small towns and Gaylord, the rest of us are scattered about in the country. But there is always that possibility, that because everything we get here, is transported from out of the area, there could be supply disruptions in food, gas and what not. So, this old Girl Scout will be prepared and hope for the best at the same time.

[OregonLuvr]

HA HA Sue, I have 164 neighbors I am pretty darn sure someone would go make a run for needed items. But aside I have plenty of stuff. I always have a cupboard full of canned goods and a freezer full of meat, veggies, bread etc. I could survive.

I was at the store today and we again have shelves filled with toilet paper, bleach, anti bacterial soaps. At both stores I went to. Our governor declared a state of emergency today as we have 14 cases. 2 here in my county (they traveled out of the country, they are self quarantined), 1 in Klamath county (over the hill from me) 1 in Douglas county (70 miles north of me).

I am not getting all worried at least not yet. I am prudent where I go and I have hand wipes in my car and my purse. Always been a handwasher but a little more diligent now. I am older but I remain in pretty good health unlike many with heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease so I am going on the premise that I will be just fine. I am not going on any cruise ships or airlines. That should increase my chances of remaining healthy.

[Bethers]

It's very rare that I couldn't go for a month (or longer) without needing a store run. It means I would run out of fresh, but then I'd hit the canned and frozen. And that's living in my rv. That said, with it so easy to order things online, should I have to, Amazon or Walmart would deliver paper goods and more and drop it outside my door. I can't imagine the average person/family couldn't do the same.

[BarbaraRose]

I am also not doing a lot to "prepare" yet. I wash my hands a lot anyways but doing more at work along with using hand sanitizer after each customer. I always use the wipes on the carts at the stores anyways. I have hand wipes in my car always.

Besides Amazon and Walmart, there are grocery stores that deliver, as well as Schwann's. Luckily, only another month here before the snowbirds head north so there won't be as many people here to potentially get sick and spread anything in my community. I just need to be vigilant at work tho.

We do have one confirmed Corona Virus illness in Palm Desert. I heard they are still planning to have the Coachella Music Festival and Stagecoach Festival (happening in the next couple months) at this point. They did cancel the big tennis tournament in town this week tho.

[BirdbyBird]

On a related issue, the woman sitting next to me at work said she had been busy over the weekend looking into greatly reduced airfares. I have not looked into it. Yet. What she said she had found were windows open up to 1 year and the ability to change flight destinations and details for free. She was considering it a reasonable risk for a year from now.....at rock bottom prices.....

[Colliemom]

Don’t want to rain in anybody’s parade, but you might want to keep in mind, that these home deliveries to your house or RV, plus pickup with the car shopping orders require people to deliver them. Those people aren’t any less vulnerable to this virus than the rest of us. One person in a UPS office for example, tests positive, the whole place gets shut down cause everybody has to be in self quarantine. Won’t do you any good if you order from Amazon and they can’t get it to you. Or Walmart had to close cause an employee contacted the virus. Might not happen, but got to consider it. CA I know, has gone into a state of emergency. How long will it be before some cities go into lockdown.

[Cudedog]

Don’t want to rain in anybody’s parade, but you might want to keep in mind, that these home deliveries to your house or RV, plus pickup with the car shopping orders require people to deliver them. Those people aren’t any less vulnerable to this virus than the rest of us. One person in a UPS office for example, tests positive, the whole place gets shut down cause everybody has to be in self quarantine. Won’t do you any good if you order from Amazon and they can’t get it to you. Or Walmart had to close cause an employee contacted the virus. Might not happen, but got to consider it. CA I know, has gone into a state of emergency. How long will it be before some cities go into lockdown.

Thanks for your post, Sue. Well written, and much food for thought. I agree with all you say here.

My personal philosophy has always been (not just at the moment, but just pretty much always): "Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it".

The closures you describe, for the reasons you describe, might very well happen. For example, an Amazon employee in Seattle tested positive for the virus about a week ago.

Anne

[MandysMom]

At least 8 states have declared emergency due to CoVid19. I would not feel safe ordering food or packages, if it gets bad enough that I feel I need to stay away from people out of self protection. This virus lives on surfaces at least 48 hours, so if your food delivery or package gets sneezed on........I do think more quarantines will happen. Look at Italy. As of tonight, the entire country is going into lockdown! I'm ready and we will simply stay home. It's going to be a rough ride ahead, but gas may be cheap!
Stay safe everyone
Velda